Takamine CTP-3 Cool Tube Preamp

Replaced my dead CTP-2

I bought a 2012 Takamine Limited "Micho" - a stunning beauty and a deleight to paly and hear. It cam with a CTP-2 and I add a Triax soundhole pickup. The combination had been magical - up until it quit working.

That unit went out slowly and intermittently. When it first happened i just volume while playing. Had to switch guitars while playing a gig. When I got home it worked again - for awhile. Then it died recently and stayed dead. I bought a new 12AU7. It did not help it. I finally buckled down and bought the replacement from this music site.
The unit arrived looking like it was not new. It had no paperwork, no warranty and no instructions. I was annoyed. I put in new batteries and put it in my guitar. I also re-hooked up the Triax into the AUX input. I fussed around with it and thought it was not working properly for awhile and made arrangements to return it. Then I actually took it out of the box again, reinstalled it and "voila" - it worked.

The sound is great (again). This box is a bit different from the CTP-2 and probably better designed and has a few more buttons. I use it with the tube set to about 40-50%, and dial in the Triax so it is just noticeable. The result is a smooth and vibrant acoustic-electric sound. I play it through a pedalboard with reverb, echo, tremolo, and chorus - and sometimes wah and overdrive. It does not do well played into my Deluxe Reverb. It sounds utterly great in my Fishman SA220. That makes sense because this is ultimately an acoustic set up. I am glad I bought it.
Note: This is a hard piece of gear to find anywhere. There is one other seller on Ebay and I initially did not buy from him because he did not offer returns and this seller did. The other seller seemed to know way more about the Takimine products, however. Choose wisely.Read full review

Verified purchase:  Yes • Condition: new • Sold by: altomusic

seems liek the right deal

Still learning how the pre-amp works, but I like the bright high end and warm mid and low end sounds

Verified purchase:  Yes • Condition: new • Sold by: addictedtotoneinc

NIce smooth low end accentuation

This preamp really offered a nice Low end to my pickup sound and The ability to add a second pickup source made this unit valuable to me. I also added the Tri-Ax 2 magnetic pickup to my guitar and am extremely pleased with the sound I am getting. The Low end boost gave me more presence for all of the looping I do and the Extra magnetic pickup blended in gives me more Low mid on the higher strings.. It's not cheap but it is indeed worth it..Read full review

Verified purchase:  Yes • Condition: pre-owned • Sold by: addictedtotoneinc

build a big sound

you can really craft your acoustic tone with this sucker. AND you can hook up an auxiliary (sound hole) pickup then blend that input with the under-saddle input. Lots of flexibility with warn tone out of the box. I've installed mine on a 1993 dread FP360SRead full review

Verified purchase:  Yes • Condition: pre-owned • Sold by: addictedtotoneinc

Takamine CTP-3 Cool Tube Preamp Replacement

work as a replacement of a damaged unit

Verified purchase:  Yes • Condition: new • Sold by: altomusic

Awesome Preamp

I love the tones I get from this Cool tube pre-amp.

Verified purchase:  Yes • Condition: pre-owned • Sold by: addictedtotoneinc

Excelent tone and the controls help it to suit any taste

Verified purchase:  Yes • Condition: new • Sold by: altomusic

Worth the price

Great product - Great Sound

Verified purchase:  Yes • Condition: new • Sold by: yosh-set

Good as expected.

Replaced my broken CTP-1 in takamine guitar. This one is better.

Verified purchase:  Yes • Condition: pre-owned • Sold by: addictedtotoneinc

An excellent preamp for a pro series Takamine.

Verified purchase:  Yes • Condition: pre-owned • Sold by: addictedtotoneinc